U.S. National Parks Already Feeling Impact of Layoffs Ahead of Peak Season

Staffing issues among other challenges means visitors can expect longer entry queues, closed trails, and trash going uncollected at some U.S. national parks.

National parks around the U.S. are already feeling the impact of layoffs, with longer queues, full parking lots, and some reduced services expected to continue into the peak season this year.

Parks are facing significant staffing cuts and resignations, with hundreds of National Park Service employees opting to take the Trump administration’s buyout offer.

"The reality is that the Park Service is in a full-blown staffing crisis," said Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of Government Affairs at the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). The NPCA estimates that as many as 2,500 National Park Service staff, nearly 13% of its workforce, are now gone.

It means visitors can expect closed trails, uncleaned toilets and trash going uncollected at some parks. Tourists will also need to plan ahead in terms of reservations to avoid issues, as some campsites and tours are already booking up.